Aslan
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By AFP
NEW DELHI - Hundreds of Muslims clashed with police in central New Delhi on Wednesday during an attempt by local authorities to demolish an illegally built mosque, officials said.
The "Noor Mosque" in the Muslim-dominated upscale Nizamuddin area of the Indian capital was earmarked for demolition by the Delhi Development Authority because it was built on government land.
Thousands of illegal religious structures exist across India and the clashes on Wednesday illustrate the difficulty of trying to remove them, which leads to violence and protests.
"Muslims attacked the government officials and circled the mosque. Police had to use tear gas shells to disperse the mob," an officer at the Nizamuddin police station told AFP, asking not to be named.
There were no reports of injuries and police had not made any arrests, she said, adding that over 150 policemen have been deployed to maintain law and order.
In 2009, India's top court slapped a blanket ban on any fresh construction of places of worship on state property after strong pressure from the national government.
Parks, streets, railway stations and schools are dotted with illegal shrines, and now the government is pushing laws through the courts to end further encroachment.
Delhi Muslims protest over mosque demolition, India General News - Maktoob News
NEW DELHI - Hundreds of Muslims clashed with police in central New Delhi on Wednesday during an attempt by local authorities to demolish an illegally built mosque, officials said.
The "Noor Mosque" in the Muslim-dominated upscale Nizamuddin area of the Indian capital was earmarked for demolition by the Delhi Development Authority because it was built on government land.
Thousands of illegal religious structures exist across India and the clashes on Wednesday illustrate the difficulty of trying to remove them, which leads to violence and protests.
"Muslims attacked the government officials and circled the mosque. Police had to use tear gas shells to disperse the mob," an officer at the Nizamuddin police station told AFP, asking not to be named.
There were no reports of injuries and police had not made any arrests, she said, adding that over 150 policemen have been deployed to maintain law and order.
In 2009, India's top court slapped a blanket ban on any fresh construction of places of worship on state property after strong pressure from the national government.
Parks, streets, railway stations and schools are dotted with illegal shrines, and now the government is pushing laws through the courts to end further encroachment.
Delhi Muslims protest over mosque demolition, India General News - Maktoob News
